July 28, 2012

After waking up a little bleary eyed, we were ready to tackle another day of renovations!

Relaxing on the porch..what a view!

James found the exact floor boards we needed and only a few suburbs away from the house...but could not get them delivered till Monday! But he was determined to get them today...so on went the roof racks on the 'bus' and guess what? He got them home by lunch time! {Not without first stopping at Bunnings to buy a bloody big saw!}

The bus with all the floor boards!

While he was out getting the timber with the girls, I began working on replacing the blue and yellow paint in the Master Bedroom...with lovely and fresh WHITE!

Master Bedroom {BEFORE PIC} with the 'lovely' blue & yellow walls

As I was sugar soaping the walls, my new pets {two chickens} decided to visit me and stood at the sliding door cackling at me. Oh how I love the farm life!

A quick bite to eat {BBQ...what else?}, and it was back to work!

The only gas cooking source:)

While we are working the older girls are exploring. After a few minutes we hear an almighty 'HELP'! James looks up to see our oldest daughter, Mixi, stuck in mud and on her backside. She get's a helping hand by her sister and we are all in hysterics! It totally made her week {and ours!}

The rest of the day was spent painting and fixing the floors, and after 24 hours in our new home we are finally getting somewhere!

Termite infested boards coming up...

Undercoat on the blue...next up undercoating the yellow!

I look forward to showing you the updates in a few days once the floors are finished and we have at least the Master Room fully painted.

July 27, 2012

After 170 days...we FINALLY got our new house keys...and not without a tad bit of DRAMA!

Settlement was scheduled for 11am, so we had a plan of attack and at 10am, I received a phone call from our conveyancer. I knew that the news was not going to be good...but did not expect to hear her say that the current owners solicitors had lost all their contract paperwork needed for today's settlement!

It was advised that settlement was going to be delayed and we were even talking a day or two! However, {thankfully} the owners were leaving for Vietnam on Sunday and were not coming back till Christmas...so that meant settlement was now deemed 'urgent'.

Within an hour, we were told the contract was found but was still not in Melbourne for settlement, so the time was pushed back till 3pm.

After getting the keys at 3:30pm, I was finally on my way to our new house!!

After arriving and figuring out which key opens the front door, I realise we have no electricity. This would not normally be a big problem, however, we only have electricity to the property...no gas or mains water...so no hot water, no heating, no lights. After speaking to our electricity company for an hour, we were finally told a technician would be out before midnight to connect our meter!

So lighting a fire and pulling up tiles by a gas light, we were finally working on the floors! At 8pm...we got our electricity!

Living Room{BEFORE}...with the aqua tiles and aqua paint!

Ripping up the aqua tiles to reveal the Vic Ash floorboards!

James had almost finished pulling up the floors when we hit a board that just crumbled...not good. We found a few boards with termite damage so the decision was made to replace those boards in the morning. {My husband however had never installed floor boards before but after assuring me he knew what he was doing because he had watched YouTube video's I was convinced...lol!}

Termite Damage..

The older girls pulled up a few rows of nails from the boards and fell asleep in a heap in front of the fire on the 4x4 Mattresses, snuggled in their sleeping bags. Very excited!

Camping out:)

James however stayed up till 1am pulling out the remainder of the nails from the boards and getting ready for the following day's work!

Looking better...before the sand and polish {and we will be painting soon:)}

July 4, 2012

I am beside myself with EXCITEMENT writing this blog post! In 2009, when I first began Lily Chic Events, the person who took my breath away with their creativity was Kate Landers. I remember seeing her Mermaid Party and at the time I was researching the twins Jellyfish themed Christening, and I was just in awe. I kept going back to it and was just amazed that one person could come up with something so beautiful.

When Kate announced she was slowing down her blog posts and collaborating with Layla Grace, I was disappointed {purely selfishly} that I wasn't going to be able to see her exciting posts so often. But then the ideas from Layla Grace were always amazing and I came to look forward to seeing what Kate was up to next.

Vintage Silhouette Party Inspiration by Kate Landers Events as seen on Layla Grace

Today Kate is a stylist, creative director and trend setter....but above all of this, she is a Mummy. A hard yet fulfilling role that Kate clearly cherishes. So without further ado...I introduce Kate Landers to you...

Gorgeous baby Noah!

'Tortilly Adorable' Turtle Party by Kate Landers for her son Noah

What do you love most about your job?

"I love many things about my job. First, the ability to celebrate the lives of children and bring them joy. I also love the ability to teach mothers the joy of creating parties for their children! Then of course I *love* working with other designers and artists who share the same passion for children's party design and styling--it's like having many kindred spirits! There is no denying I love the creative freedom of my work, and ability to mix my passions for business, creativity and celebrations together!"

What makes Kate Landers Events unique to you?

"I like to think that my interpretation of a theme (such as "mermaid") is something that no one else would have envisioned just that way. My design process and vision are my art, and what I hope creates some level of uniqueness."

What has been your proudest moment with your business?

"I'm proud to say that I have struggled and learned to not be afraid of change. Change in my business plan. Change in my outlook. Being able to say "I could have done that a lot better" and "I'm not perfect--never have been, and never will be--but will ALWAYS give it my all"...I worked 14 hour days 7 days a week for years, and am proud of my perseverance. But more proud to say that I recognized that wasn't healthy, nor in the best interest of my family or business, and made the leap to big changes that have improved things all-around."

What has inspired you this week?

"A vintage 1960s tiered tulle party dress!"

How do you make time for Kate Landers Events?

"I am still working that out--it is on my mind and in my heart, but my number one priority is my son Noah, and my lifelong dream was to be a mommy, so fulfilling that is most important. I am working on finding a balance of working in the evenings, having Noah in the baby bjorn during photo shoots...lots to learn!"

What's in store for 2012/13?

"Many shoots, more work for Layla Grayce (which I ADORE), Noah's first birthday party, and a few surprises that I really, really look forward to when they are done!"

What is your favourite item from Layla Grace?

"Oh my, I only WISH I could choose a favorite. It is the style of Layla Grayce, the mix of timeless classic, romantic "shabby chic" and fresh current on-trend items that makes it so spectacular. I love the furniture, floor coverings, bedding, cake stands,....I can say what Noah's favorite item is: The Little Giraffe Luxe Blanket they gave him--it is the "blankie" he holds for comfort, and is the softest and most fabulous ever! I wish they had an adult size!"

If you could have any style in your home, what would it be?

"I love sophisticated cottage chic. I have a vintage cream armoire with pink and cream toile fabric in the doors that I LOVE--lots of white, soft colours, exuding warmth and comfort, with lots of style (like a pink velvet pintuck headboard and a vintage barn door-turned-farm-kitchen-table!)"

What style trend are you loving right now?

"I love the soft colors and textures in many of the textiles available these days. Pattern on pillows and rugs that is soft but striking makes it so easy to transform a room. For example, we have all-white couches and chairs in our living room. With a switch of throw pillows or an area rug, I can change it with the season or mood. I prefer items that are timeless an classic, not trendy--so I love the "trend" of classic patterns."

What style trend are you over right now?

"Well, it has nearly just begun, but I would love to see a bit less of "chevron"--I think it is striking when used here or there, just not all over!"

FUN FACTS ABOUT KATE:

-Favorite Colour & why?

"Pink. And White. It's calming, fresh, pretty. It defines much of my wardrobe!"

"When I was little, I always wanted to be......." a veterinarian, a wife, a mommy, and a party planner...",

Kate's Signature Nutcracker Suite Party

Kate's Woodland Themed Party

Thank you so much Kate for taking time in between your very busy schedule and Mummy duties to answer my questions. It has been such an honour having you on my blog and on my last blog as Lily Chic Events too!

Yes...you read correctly.

This blog will now be known as 'Olivers Alma Cottage'. You see, for about 6 months now, I have been seeking the feeling I first had when I opened LCE. And the closest I have felt that lately is when my husband and I purchased a 5 acre property with a small 100 year old cottage. The farmlet sits on what used to be an apple orchard. We loved the idea of naming the property {as they do in England}, so after days of deliberating, it was actually one of the twins who decided for us. Aurelia wanting an 'alma'. {Alma being an Apple in Hungarian, my heritage}.

And so it begins....and ends.

Shoppe with Lily will remain open {in September}, but will no longer stock party ware. Instead we will be stocking one off beautiful Vintage wares along with gorgeous home wares.

I have yet to decide what to do with Lily Chic Events, and have had offers to buy the business. I will be keeping my options open as I am still completing the Preston Bailey Course...so you never know how Alma Cottage could be used as a Wedding Venue....we do have a lovely Barn!!

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Me..

I live in Melbourne with my Husband James and our four children...Mikayla (15), Georgia (14), Aurelia & Indiana (5). I began my business Lily Chic Events in 2009 and have gone from Event Styling to Vintage Styling! Gone are the days of city living, we now live in Urban Country on 5 Acres and knew my life had changed. This blog will feature my children's parties that I have had a big part of creating and styling { I hope to give you all realistic inspiration for your next child's event}, and I will also be sharing my property {and families} journey, out in the wide open space we now call home! Enjoy! xx